Freshman Admissions
Students entering Mississippi State University in summer or August of 2026 can begin to apply to the university on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 8 p.m. CT.
What is Needed to Apply
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Application
The application requires general information, parental/guardian information, and academic information. You can submit the online application without the application fee, transcripts, or test scores (optional) and send them at a later time. However, you must submit these items in order for us to review your complete application file for both admission and scholarship purposes.
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Application Fee or Fee Waiver
There is a $40 non-refundable fee to submit your application.
Active-Duty Military and Veterans may have their application fee waived.
Mississippi State University will waive the admissions application fee for freshman applicants who submit an approved ACT/SAT or NACAC Request for Waiver of College Application Fee form obtained from and signed by their high school counselor. This waiver is need-based and not related to the scores received on the ACT/SAT test. Once this form is completed and signed, students can upload the form to their applicant portal. Students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch are eligible for the NACAC fee waiver.
Please note, the application fee for international students is $60.
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Official Transcripts
Upload your official high school transcript (grades 9-11 with senior schedule) to your Mississippi State University applicant portal. School counselors may upload transcripts through Slate.org once counselors are verified by Slate. Counselors may also submit electronically via email to: admit@msstate.edu
OR by mail:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 6334
101 Montgomery Hall
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.
If you have any college credits, have the institution send all coursework.
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Official Test Scores
Optional for admission, but encouraged for scholarships.
MSU will use the superscore (highest ACT or SAT subject test scores from the same test type when scores from more than one test date are submitted.) A combination of ACT and SAT subtest scores cannot be combined to calculate a superscore.
- Request that official ACT or SAT scores be sent to Mississippi State. We encourage that these test scores come directly from ACT or SAT (ACT College Code - 2220 or SAT College Code – 1480).
- The writing test of the ACT and SAT are not considered for admission or scholarship awarding purposes.
- Students who have not taken the ACT or SAT will be reviewed for admissibility. This review will involve consideration of high school performance, placement testing, special interests and skills, as well as other non-cognitive factors.
Important Freshman Dates
Summer/Fall Enrollment
Spring Enrollment
MSU has a rolling admissions policy. The application for each semester will remain open until the 10th day of classes.
Admission to Mississippi State University will be granted to high school graduates who complete the required College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) along with one of the following:
- A minimum 2.0 grade-point average on the CPC
- Satisfy the National Collegiate Athletic Association standards for student-athletes who are full or partial qualifiers under Division I guidelines.
Test-Optional: Students who choose not to participate in ACT or SAT testing will be reviewed for admissibility. This review will involve consideration of high school performance, placement testing, special interests, and skills as well as other non-cognitive factors. If a test score is submitted, MSU will superscore (highest ACT or SAT subject test scores from the same test type when scores from more than one test date are submitted.) A combination of ACT and SAT subtest scores cannot be combined to calculate a superscore.
If you are an international freshman, visit our International Page.
Mississippi Residents are admissible if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Complete the required College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) and earn an overall grade-point average of 3.20
-OR-
- Satisfy the National Collegiate Athletic Association standards for student-athletes who are full or partial qualifiers under Division I guidelines.
-OR-
- Meet one of the admission standards listed by the MS Institutions of Higher Learning here http://www.mississippi.edu/admissions/
While ACT or SAT scores may not be required to be eligible for admission, they are still important for scholarships, academic placement and other opportunities.
If a test score is submitted, MSU will superscore (highest ACT or SAT subject test scores from the same test type when scores from more than one test date are submitted.) A combination of ACT and SAT subtest scores cannot be combined to calculate a superscore.
Non-resident Applicants who do not meet the Mississippi criteria are evaluated for admission based on the following:
- Rigor of high school curriculum
- ACT or SAT scores (if submitted)
Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a rolling basis.
While ACT or SAT scores may not be required to be eligible for admission, they are still important for scholarships, academic placement and other opportunities.
If a test score is submitted, MSU will superscore (highest ACT or SAT subject test scores from the same test type when scores from more than one test date are submitted.) A combination of ACT and SAT subtest scores cannot be combined to calculate a superscore.
Applicants who have completed high school from a school that does not hold regional accreditation must submit the following:
- Transcripts reflecting academic performance
- ACT or SAT scores
Applicants who have not completed high school must submit the following:
- Qualifying scores on a state-approved high school equivalency examination
- ACT or SAT scores
Applicants may be required to appear for an on-campus interview.
To be accepted into the freshman class at Mississippi State University, students must satisfactorily complete the following College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with an appropriate cumulative grade-point average:
English: 4 Carnegie Units
- Units must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading and Writing may not be included.
Mathematics: 4 Carnegie Units
- Algebra I or its equivalent
- Math higher than Algebra I (2 units)
- Additional math higher or lower than Algebra I
Science: 3 Carnegie Units
- Biology I or its equivalent
- Science higher than Biology I (2 units)
Social Studies: 3 Carnegie Units
- Units must include integrated courses of social sciences and humanities promoting civic competence.
Arts: 1 Carnegie Unit
- Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and
performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high
school graduation.
Advanced Electives: 2 Carnegie Units
- Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II
- Option 2: Foreign Language I and one unit from Option 3
- Option 3: (1) Any combination of an advanced level course above the required Carnegie units in: (a) as noted in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs CPC Manual and/or) any (b) Advanced Placement (AP), Academic or Career and Technical Dual Credit (DC), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course. (2) Completion of any two-year Career and Technical course may count as one unit. Example: completion of both Health Sciences I & II will count as an advanced elective.
Technology: 1 Carnegie Unit
- A technology course is defined as one that emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course. A computer science course emphasizes computational thinking to solve problems. Courses will involve the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware, and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society and should include a focus on one or more of the following core concepts: computing systems, networks, and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of computing. Course equivalent or additional advanced elective may be acceptable for non-Mississippi residents.
Total Carnegie Units: 18
Notes:
- Pre-High School Units: Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course.
- Substitutions: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB, Academic or Career and Technical Dual Credit (DC) and Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) courses may be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
- Course Acceptance: A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
- The Required and Recommended College Preparatory Curricula (CPC) are approved by the IHL Board of Trustees and maintained in the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs. Visit www.mississippi.edu/admissions/ for more information.
Home-schooled applicants must submit the following:
- Home-school transcripts or portfolio summarizing home school education
- ACT or SAT scores
An applicant who is twenty-one (21) years old and who does not meet the regular freshman admission requirements, may apply for acceptance into the Special Non-Degree (SND) student category. Students in this category will be advised by and will schedule classes through the University Academic Advising Center.
Applicants must demonstrate adequate preparation for the courses they plan to schedule. SND students may schedule a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours during a regular term and three (6) semester hours during a five-week summer term. To move from the SND status, students should satisfactorily complete twelve (12) semester hours with a C or better average in core courses that are applicable to a degree at MSU.
Students wishing to gain reclassification to a traditional major should discuss this during their initial meeting with one of the professional advisors in the University Academic Advising Center. For students admitted to a degree program, a maximum of eighteen (18) semester hours of credit earned while in the SND classification may be counted toward a baccalaureate degree, pending approval by the dean of the college or school from which the degree is sought.
Degree-seeking adult applicants with previous college attendance must meet regular transfer student requirements and, therefore, may not apply for admission under the Special Non-Degree option.
Non-degree seeking adult applicants with previous college attendance who do not meet regular transfer requirements may be allowed to schedule courses for self improvement and/or job enhancement only. Applicants should file a letter of intent with the Director of Admissions and Scholarships to enroll under this option.